Friendship Force International celebrated its 45th birthday in 2022! View the most important milestones in our history below.
1977
March 1, 1977: Founded by Wayne Smith and launched by President and Mrs. Carter at the White House
July 4, 1977: First FF experience involving 762 friendship ambassadors in a simultaneous exchange between Atlanta, USA & Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
1980
Introduction of the Friendship Force club system
1982
Instead of a few large chartered two-way exchanges every year, FF changes to one-way exchanges on regularly scheduled airlines.
⇒ reduction in group size (20-25 ambassadors)
⇒ worldwide expansion of the homestay program with 250-300 exchanges yearly
1985
ARMS (American Russian Mutual Survival) exchanges link the Soviet Union and the United States
1992
Nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize as a result of FF’s initiatives between the United States and the Soviet Union
1996
2,000 Olypmic athletes’ families hosted during the Summer Olympics in Atlanta
1999
US clubs partner with Open World bringing emerging government and civic leaders from mostly post-Soviet countries to the United States to work with their American counterparts during 10-day professional visits
2017
Exchanges are now called ‘Journeys‘
2020
COVID-19 strikes and FFI starts offering Virtual Experiences and a Pen Pal Program in addition to its homestay program
2021
Launch of the Friendship Force members-only platform at my.friendshipforce.org (myFF)
2022
Celebration of 45 years of Friendship Force International
